Italian cinematic drama took center stage at the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival on Saturday with the premiere of Ketticè, a film featuring screen icon Monica Bellucci in a pivotal role as a frustrated mother and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Luca Guadagnino. The coming-of-age narrative marks the sophomore directorial effort of Giovanni Tortorici, a former assistant to Guadagnino, and delves into themes of youth disillusionment and intergenerational conflict against the backdrop of 2012 Sicily.
The Locarno Showcase and a Rising Auteur
The Locarno Film Festival, renowned for its adventurous programming and its role as a launchpad for independent and auteur cinema, provided a significant platform for Ketticè. The festival, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, often champions films that push artistic boundaries and offer unique cultural perspectives. Tortorici, whose debut feature Diciannove garnered critical attention, presented Ketticè as a deeply personal and reflective work. His connection to Luca Guadagnino, the visionary director behind Oscar-nominated films like Call Me By Your Name and the unsettling Suspiria remake, immediately elevates Ketticè’s profile, signaling a film with a strong artistic pedigree. Guadagnino’s involvement as a producer lends significant weight, suggesting a project that aligns with his characteristic exploration of desire, identity, and the complexities of human relationships within rich, atmospheric settings.
A Sicilian Coming-of-Age in the Berlusconi Era
Set in Palermo, Sicily, in 2012, Ketticè immerses viewers in a specific historical and cultural moment. This period was still heavily influenced by the lingering political and media presence of Silvio Berlusconi, the populist politician and media mogul whose reign profoundly shaped Italian society, culture, and public discourse for decades. His era, marked by a blend of spectacle, scandal, and a particular brand of political rhetoric, forms a subtle but pervasive backdrop to the film’s narrative. The story centers on Giulio, a listless and dissatisfied 16-year-old drifting through his days without enthusiasm for school or clear future prospects. His monotonous existence is disrupted by Ketty, a more self-assured peer whose nickname in Sicilian dialect gives the film its title. Their burgeoning, exclusive friendship forms a shared refuge, offering an escape from the adult world’s judgmental gaze and a quest for personal freedom. This dynamic, a common thread in coming-of-age dramas, is here infused with a distinct Sicilian flavor and the socio-political undercurrents of post-Berlusconi Italy.
The visual and technical craftsmanship of Ketticè further enhances its immersive quality. Cinematography by Camilla Cattabriga captures the unique light and atmosphere of Palermo, while editing by Marco Costa shapes the narrative’s rhythm and emotional beats. International distribution efforts are being handled by PiperPlay, indicating confidence in the film’s global appeal beyond its Italian roots. The production’s commitment to authenticity extended to its casting, with the young stars Salvatore Gallina and Rachele Testagrossa discovered through an extensive street casting process, a method often employed to find raw, natural talent that grounds the narrative in realism.
Monica Bellucci’s Transformative Portrayal of a “Victim of a Social Role”
At the heart of Ketticè‘s adult world is Monica Bellucci’s character, Giulio’s mother. Known globally for her iconic beauty and roles that often leverage her striking presence, Bellucci takes on a starkly different persona in this film. During a press conference at Locarno, she elaborated on the complexities of her character, describing her as a woman from an aristocratic Sicilian family who feels profoundly oppressed by her circumstances. "It was interesting to play a different role because this wife and mother tells us about the frustration behind the entire perfection of society," Bellucci explained. She further characterized her role as being "the victim of a social role," a woman trapped by societal expectations and her aristocratic background.
Bellucci’s portrayal delves into the psychological toll of this entrapment. Her character attempts to counterbalance her deep-seated frustration through emotional eating, famously depicted in a scene where she is found sleeping in front of the television, surrounded by numerous snacks. This visual metaphor powerfully communicates her character’s internal struggle and disconnect from the pristine image she is expected to maintain. Bellucci highlighted how integral physical presence and vocal delivery were to embodying this woman. "This is a woman who forgot about her femininity. She doesn’t take care of herself," Bellucci stated, emphasizing a deliberate shedding of her own glamorous image for the role. Crucially, her character’s internal turmoil manifests outwardly in her interactions, particularly with her son. "And when she talks, she yells," Bellucci revealed, signaling a constant, abrasive communication style that defines her relationship with Giulio.
Generational Divide and Societal Reflection
The strained relationship between Bellucci’s character and her son Giulio forms a significant emotional core of Ketticè, highlighting a profound generational chasm. Bellucci articulated this dynamic with insight, noting, "She creates this constant tension with her son. There is a mutual humiliation that [shows] a true impossibility of exchange between generations." This observation points to a broader societal critique embedded within the film: the inability of older generations to genuinely understand and connect with the youth. Bellucci expanded on this, reflecting on the historical context: "You see a generation of adults who can no longer understand the youth. And we are talking about 2012. Imagine how it is now!" This rhetorical question underscores the film’s timeless relevance, suggesting that while set in a specific past, its themes resonate even more strongly in the contemporary world, where rapid technological and social shifts often exacerbate the divide between age groups.
The film’s exploration of societal pressures extends beyond familial dynamics. It touches upon the broader cultural landscape of Italy, particularly the lasting impact of the Berlusconi era on national identity and youth perspectives. The "perfection of society" that Bellucci’s character struggles against can be seen as a microcosm of a nation grappling with its self-image, economic anxieties, and evolving social norms in the wake of significant political transitions. Ketticè uses its intimate narrative to mirror these larger societal tensions, positioning the individual’s psychological struggles within a complex national fabric.
Provocative Commentary: Mussolini and Youth Culture
One of the most potentially controversial elements of Ketticè is a scene where a young girl expresses admiration for Benito Mussolini, Italy’s former fascist dictator. This inclusion sparked discussion at the Locarno press conference, prompting writer-director Giovanni Tortorici to address its significance. Tortorici explained that this detail was rooted in his own biographical experiences, stating, "I remember I had a girlfriend who would say such things." He presented it not as an endorsement, but as a representation of a "youth culture, which is a bit absurd." He elaborated on the paradox: "I mean, the girl I knew was refined and educated, and then she would admire Mussolini."
Tortorici asserted that this seemingly incongruous detail was "very symptomatic and significant" of the age of Berlusconi. This statement is crucial for understanding the film’s deeper commentary. The Berlusconi era, characterized by a certain historical amnesia, a focus on image, and a sometimes-simplistic approach to complex national narratives, arguably created a vacuum or a fertile ground for such "absurd" historical views among some segments of the youth. The inclusion of this scene acts as a provocative artistic choice, inviting audiences to reflect on how historical memory is transmitted, distorted, or reinterpreted by new generations, particularly when filtered through the lens of media and popular culture prevalent during the early 2010s in Italy. It highlights the film’s courage to tackle uncomfortable truths about contemporary Italian identity and the often-unpredictable ideological currents that can surface within seemingly sophisticated youth.
A Director’s Vision and Emerging Talent
Beyond the thematic depths, Ketticè stands as a testament to Giovanni Tortorici’s burgeoning talent and the impactful performances of its cast. Monica Bellucci lauded the director, expressing her admiration for his clear vision and confidence. "It’s been a wonderful experience being on this set," she shared. "Giovanni Tortorici is a young director who knows exactly what he wants, and he’s very self-confident, determined, and he made a very personal and really unique film." Her praise underscores the impression Tortorici made on an industry veteran, suggesting a director with a strong auteurial voice. Bellucci concluded, "This film confirms his talent as an auteur."
The veteran actress also extended her praise to the young lead actors, Salvatore Gallina and Rachele Testagrossa, whose naturalism brings authenticity to the coming-of-age narrative. "And these two teenagers are fantastic. They’re awesome. They are so natural and so spontaneous," Bellucci remarked. Their raw, unpolished performances, discovered through the rigorous street casting process, are central to portraying the film’s themes of youthful disillusionment and the search for freedom with genuine emotional resonance. The combination of an established icon like Bellucci, a celebrated producer like Guadagnino, and a talented young director with a compelling story suggests that Ketticè is poised to make a significant impact on the international festival circuit and beyond, sparking conversations about generational divides, societal roles, and the complex historical currents that continue to shape Italy.
